if you want DC definitely UVA. If you want Atlanta, def Emory (not that you can't get Atlanta from UVA, but there's no reason to pass up full ride). Other markets are tougher. South, I'd say Emory, others probably UVA. You can't really make a wrong choice, but I think UVA is probably a slightly one.

Quail (or other Cornell students), do you know of any people going to/or wanting London? I've been researching this, and I haven't found a lot of information. Of Michigan, UVa, and Cornell, which do you think would have the best job prospects for New York or London? I noticed on NALP that 4 of the 8 London firms on NALP interview at Cornell, but none interview at Michigan or UVa. It seems like the Cornell name would travel better overseas.

all three are probably about equal. before you gave me the data, I was going to guess Michigan or UVA, just based on American reputation. However, none of the three have an extremely strong tie to the UK, it seems, so it's probably an open question.

I have a financial aid question: should I send Columbia my merit-based grants (from Penn, UVA, Michigan, Cornell) now in advance of getting my need based grant, or only after I get my grant, if I'm not happy with it? I can see both methods' reasoning. I seem to remember one of you current 1Ls sent it before hand and it worked out for you. Does this make sense so I can get maximum amount of money before all the grant money is given away?

Also, should I let them know I'm in at Stanford? I absolutely loved Columbia, but HYS is HYS, and I think Columbia could lure me with a small grant.

Go to Stanford. $50,000 just isn't that much in the long term. LIke MCB said, you can make that up during 1L and 2L summer.

It is important to note that at Stanford (and YH) summer income in excess of 6K (at Stanford 9K if married or have children) will reduce your grants dollar for dollar. Luckily, Stanford only takes into account 50% of your earnings. Harvard requires 90% and Yale 100%

It seems that Columbia does not consider summer earnings, but Columbia is also not as generous as Stanford for financial aid..

Primary Goals: Want to practice biglaw (corporate/M&A) in SF/LA/Chicago and possibly eventually start/own my own business or earn money through investments (REstate, stocks/options, or something entreprenuerial).

Background: undergrad degree at expensive (but not super-elite) private school; 70k in debt from undergrad and no family help to pay off this debt. Degree in economics w/ some business knowledge b/c of one year management consulting.

Penn Pros: Levy program (individualized attention from faculty and alumni), cheaper (compared to Harvard save ~110k in tuition; also save some $ every year compared to COL in Cambridge), opportunity to apply to Wharton for JD/MBA (maybe I'll get in but maybe not since I only have 1 year work experience). Cost of JD/MBA with Levy factored in--if admitted to program--roughly equivalent to cost of Harvard JD. (Would Penn JD/MBA be better than Harvard JD for my goals? I think Harvard JD/MBA would be too expensive.)